The
Canadian Navy Virtual Fleet Review
Ships of the Canadian Navy's first century and beyond.

These pages
contain illustrations and information on the ships of the Canadian navy
over the past century and some that will sail with the navy into the
future beyond the centennial. View them as through binoculars from the
bridge of your ship as they pass by during a virtual sail-past.

1920-1939

The end of
WWI brought a reduction in the Canadian Navy with obsolete ships being
replaced by a ex-RN light cruiser (HMCS Aurora), two torpedo boat destroyers
(HMCS Patrician and Patriot) and two H class submarines forming the
foundation of Canada's naval capability in the years 1919-22. Further
cuts in the naval budget saw the cruiser and submarines de-commissioned
in 1922. A far-sighted decision was made in this period with the establishment
of the naval reserves - RCNR (a reserve of professional seaman and mariners)
and VR (Volunteer Reserve) with divisions throughout Canada. The naval
reserves allowed for the eventual expansion of the RCN during the crisis
years of the 1930s and 40s. As Canada emerged from the lean years of
the depression and entered into the tension filled era leading to the
outbreak of WWII the government began to support the build-up of a naval
capability. It was during this period that the six River class destroyers
that were to serve Canada in the early days of WWII were used to train
the core of the RCN. With the commencement of hostilities in 1939 the
Canadian Navy entered the severest challenge in its history with these
six destroyers, four minesweepers and the naval training sailing ship
HMCS Venture. The navy was comprised of 312 officers and 3,292 ranks
in the RCN, RCNR and RCNVR.